Senators Force Weaker Safeguards Against Cyberattacks
Source: The New York Times
Despite warnings of a potentially crippling cyberattack, a group of lawmakers led by Senator John McCain has successfully weakened bipartisan legislation that the Obama administration said was crucial to protecting computer systems responsible for operating the nation's critical infrastructure.
Strong opposition from Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, and others on behalf of the business community forced Democratic and Republican supporters of the legislation to drop provisions that would have given the federal government the power to enforce minimum standards on systems that run power plants, air traffic control systems, dams and similar facilities.
The Senate will debate the measure next week, even though the changes have raised new questions about its effectiveness.
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Original versions of the bill, which was first drafted in 2009, called for giving the Department of Homeland Security the power to enforce minimum cybersecurity standards on infrastructure computer systems that, if damaged, would lead to mass casualties or economic loss.
But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business lobbyists strongly objected, saying that such regulations would create a costly and cumbersome process.
Read more: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2012/07/28/us/politics/new-revisions-weaken-senate-cybersecurity-bill.xml
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